Big Easel: Sunflowers

Restoration work on Altona's Big Easel is underway.

Since 1998, the Big Easel featuring Vincent van Gogh's Sunflowers has welcomed visitors and stood as a symbol of Altona's identity as the Sunflower Capital of Manitoba and home of the annual Sunflower Festival. The landmark was the vision of local artist and educator Cameron Cross, who dreamed of creating a giant steel easel displaying a likeness of one of Van Gogh's famous Sunflowers paintings. That vision became a reality and has remained one of Altona's most recognizable landmarks for the past 27 years.

In 2025, after decades of exposure to the elements, the painting reached the end of its lifespan and needed to be replaced.

The restoration project is now underway, with artist Cameron Cross once again leading the work. The four painting panels have already been delivered to the Altona Curling Club, where they are currently being prepared and painted. Once the artwork is complete, the panels will be transported, assembled, secured to the easel, and finished with the final details. The restored Big Easel is expected to be ready in time for this year's Sunflower Festival.

Following feedback received through last year's community survey regarding the replacement of the artwork, the restoration is being funded through a combination of insurance proceeds, municipal funding, and generous donations from the community.

We look forward to preserving restored Big Easel for many years to come.